How to Hire a Proofreader
Hiring a proofreader might be the final step in your publishing journey — but it’s one of the most essential. Whether you’re preparing a manuscript for print, a Substack post for your newsletter audience, or polished marketing copy for your personal brand, a professional proofreader ensures your work is clean, consistent, and credible.
If you’re searching for a book proofreader, a manuscript editing service, or a proofreading editing service for your business or personal writing projects, here’s your complete guide to hiring the right person — and avoiding common pitfalls.
Why Hire a Proofreader?
Even the best writers miss things. Typos. Repeated words. A rogue quotation mark that opens but never closes — like a doomed love affair. A good proofreader not only corrects errors but preserves the tone and rhythm of your voice while eliminating distractions that take readers out of the story.
In my own work — ghostwriting six-figure memoirs and managing self-publishing projects — I always hire a proofreader (sometimes multiple!) to make sure the final draft is polished and professional. A sharp-eyed proofreader is part editor, part bodyguard — they protect your reputation from embarrassing slip-ups and Internet commenters with magnifying glasses.
Freelance Proofreader vs. Full-Time Hire
Unless you’re running a major publishing house or producing dozens of pieces a week, hiring a freelance proofreader makes far more sense than bringing someone on full-time. Freelancers offer flexible rates, diverse specialties, and often work on demand — ideal for authors, entrepreneurs, and content creators.
You may even want to hire more than one proofreader, especially for book-length manuscripts. Different eyes catch different things — and when it comes to publishing, precision matters.
You can read more about how to hire book editors (and what that process entails!) here.
What Should I Consider When Hiring a Freelance Proofreader?
1. Scope and Complexity of the Project
Ask yourself:
What kind of writing needs proofreading — a novel, a non-fiction book, website copy, blog posts?
Has the piece already gone through line editing?
Is this the final pass before publication?
If you’re working on a book, you might need both a book proofreader and a manuscript editing service earlier in the process. (Need help understanding the stages of book editing? Read more about the editing process of a manuscript here.)
2. Proofreader Experience and Professionalism
Look for:
A clean, typo-free website or portfolio
Experience in your genre or subject matter
Testimonials or referrals from trusted sources
Availability for a short sample edit
Good proofreaders are meticulous and deeply familiar with the style guide you’re using (Chicago Manual of Style for most books, AP for journalism, etc.). They are the kind of people who notice if you switch from en dashes to em dashes halfway through your book and lose sleep over inconsistent serial commas.
3. Where to Find a Reputable Proofreader
You could post your project on the open Internet… but I recommend going where top-tier freelance proofreaders already hang out.
Start by posting on my Freelance Writing Job Board — home to a curated community of freelance editors, proofreaders, and writers. You’ll reach talented professionals at various price points who are ready to support your project.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Proofreader?
Rates vary depending on the project. Some proofreading editing services and freelancers charge a flat fee, while others bill by the word or hour. Generally:
Clean drafts (already line edited) cost less
Complex genres (like fantasy or academic work) may cost more
Rush jobs tend to carry a premium
Expect rates to start around 1–3 cents per word — or more if your manuscript looks like it lost a fight with a thesaurus.
Pro tip: share a sample and a project brief up front. Many proofreaders will evaluate the state of your manuscript and offer a tailored quote.
Should I Hire a Genre-Specific Book Proofreader?
Yes, yes, and yes. Fantasy manuscripts need someone who won’t blink twice at names like Th’raxael and will make sure your dragon lair is spelled the same way every time. Non-fiction books often require fact-checking and adherence to a citation style. Memoirs demand sensitivity to tone.
Hiring a book proofreader who understands your genre ensures they’ll notice inconsistencies that a generalist might miss.
How Do I Know If a Proofreader Is Right for Me?
Here are a few ways to evaluate fit:
Ask for a short sample edit
Look for attention to detail in their correspondence and application
Trust your instincts — if someone doesn’t take your work seriously, keep looking
Hiring a proofreader is like finding a creative partner. The best ones are invisible — like editorial ninjas. You’ll never see them, but their fingerprints are all over your five-star reviews.
Final Thoughts: Why It Matters
Hiring a proofreader isn’t just about fixing typos. It’s about showing readers — and clients, and publishers — that your work deserves to be taken seriously. The clean, polished final version of your book or article could be what earns you a glowing review instead of a one-star rant about misplaced commas.
I’ve seen what a great proofreader can do — and I’ve also seen the one-star Amazon reviews that say things like, “Did anyone even read this before publishing?” You don’t want that. No one wants that.
You deserve better.
Ready to Hire a Freelance Proofreader?
Post your job to the Freelance Writing Job Board and get matched with professional proofreaders ready to help your work shine.
Or, if you’re still figuring out what kind of editing your manuscript needs, fill out the contact form below — I’d be happy to guide you.
